The Task of The African Translator

Abstract

Given the number of languages and cultures, different histories either before or after the advent of colonialism, and uneven support of African languages in individual countries such as Kenya and Tanzania, anything loosely termed African translation will have to flow in a myriad of ways. We must not have an African Theory of Translation but rather a plethora of Translation Theories that are particular in part or in whole to African languages. Nevertheless as with anything of infinite possibilities, it is crucial to capture or frame a few foundational principles that will make discussion possible.